Strategy for the Compatibility of Infrastructure Projects with Wetlands Conservation in Chile

By: 2020 Coastal Solutions Fellow Flavio Sciaraffia

The Ministry of Public Works (MOP), a key entity in the development of public infrastructure in Chile, faces significant challenges due to the direct interaction between its projects and wetlands, considering a recent regulatory scenario that establishes safeguards for the protection of these ecosystems.  In this context, the Ministry commissioned the Río Cruces Wetland Center (CEHUM) of the Austral University of Chile to carry out a study with technical and operational tools that will allow the MOP to guarantee that its interventions are compatible with the ecological integrity of these ecosystems, without sacrificing the development and maintenance of public infrastructure. This collaboration represents a milestone in the integration of environmental criteria in the planning and execution of works of great relevance for the country. 

The study, developed between August 2023 and December 2024, proposes a robust and technically grounded strategy to address Article 19(s) of Law 19.300, which regulates the evaluation of potential environmental impacts of infrastructure projects on wetlands. This initiative seeks to facilitate informed decision-making regarding the submission of projects to the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA) and to establish environmental standards that ensure compatibility between infrastructure development and the conservation of these critical ecosystems. 

Volume I presents the overall strategy, structured in two key phases. The first focuses on the technical characterization of the wetland, the intended projects and their proximity relationship, providing a solid base for analysis. The second phase applies specific tools to determine the susceptibility of a wetland to being affected by a given project, identifying possible alterations and proposing good environmental practices to prevent, minimize or avoid these impacts. This volume also introduces guidelines for projects that must enter the SEIA, either through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), ensuring clearer and more technically supported processes.

In Volume II, the strategy is subjected to a practical application through three pilot projects: a bridge and two riverbed interventions in the Bueno River basin in the Los Ríos Region, Chile. These projects made it possible to test the procedures defined in the first volume, applying the two strategic phases to identify impact-generating factors, analyze the susceptibility of wetlands and propose specific mitigation, restoration or compensation measures, as well as good practices. The analysis not only demonstrated the applicability of the strategy, but also generated key lessons learned in order to face recurring challenges in this type of interventions at the national scale. Each case was approached with a practical focus, seeking to extrapolate the results to future MOP projects with similar characteristics.

Volume III addresses an innovative component: design strategies with ecological considerations for infrastructure works that interact with wetlands. Specific solutions are proposed for crossing these ecosystems, managing waterways, and facilitating wildlife crossings, all of them aligned with international trends and the use of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). These strategies seek to maintain the hydrological and biological connectivity of wetlands, ensure their stability and functionality, and reduce risks to both biodiversity and people. In addition, references to successful international experiences are included, such as those implemented in the United States and the European Union, demonstrating that it is possible to balance infrastructure needs with ecological conservation.

The study yielded concrete results: impact-generating factors were identified and systematized for 33 types of river and road projects, 116 actions were proposed for good practices, mitigation, restoration and compensation, 8 type studies were technically specified to rule out alterations, and guidelines were established for the evaluation of 23 cross-cutting environmental impacts of the analyzed projects. These findings not only facilitate the technical implementation of projects within the SEIA framework, but also represent an opportunity to raise the environmental standards of public works in Chile. In addition to the technical products, the study included training components, such as courses and presentations, and a launch seminar attended by various public, academic, and private stakeholders.

This strategy not only responds to the regulatory challenges of environmental impact regulations in Chile, but also proposes a paradigm shift towards an infrastructure that is more respectful of the natural environment. The implementation of these recommendations will optimize planning and environmental assessment processes, reduce risks associated with non-compliance and, above all, contribute to the conservation of wetlands, which are fundamental for ecological balance and climate resilience. This study is a major step towards a sustainable infrastructure, where development and conservation are not mutually exclusive, but complementary.

The study was led by myself, Flavio Sciaraffia, together with Ignacio Rodríguez Jorquera, Director of CEHUM. In addition, specialists from various disciplines participated, including Camila Bañales, Teresita Scheuch, Francisca Urrutia and Bastián Oñate, who contributed their expertise in environmental assessment, hydrology, ecology and natural resource management.